Warm Up On The Ranch

A stay on a guest ranch provides families a chance to unplug from the world and sample a taste of the old west. Popularized more recently by the movieCity Slickers, the guest ranch experience was once the getaway of choice for the rich and famous from both coasts. In the 20s and 30s, many authors, actors and captains of industry found their way to southern Arizona for a little rest and relaxation.

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During a recent dude ranch visit, my nine year old traveling companions and I stayed in a room once occupied by John Wayne. I was impressed. They had never heard of him.

Here are a few family friendly Arizona guest ranches where you'll find plenty of sunshine and a healthy does of adventure:

Tanque Verde Guest Ranch - Located on 640 acres in Tucson's RinconMountain foothills and bordered by both SaguaroNational Park

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East and Coronado National Forest, this 74-room family-owned-and-operated guest-ranch resort was founded as a working cattle ranch in 1868.

Known for its counselor-supervised children's program, Tanque

Verde has more than 100 horses, indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis pro,

White Stallion Ranch - This family owned-and-operated, 42-room, working

cattle-ranch and guest ranch is located on 3,000 acres in the TucsonMountains, adjacent to Saguaro National Park West. The site of numerous western films, here family members can watch the Longhorn cattle herd coming in to water, learn to ride, take part in cookouts, moonlight bonfires,hayrides, a petting zoo and aweekly rodeo with riding, roping, barrel racing, and steer wrestling. Open September through mid-June. 1.888.977.2624.www.WSRanch.com.

Price Canyon Ranch - Originally built in 1879, this 15,000 acre, working cattle ranch is 150 miles southeast of Tucson in a box canyon surrounded by 500,000 acres of wilderness and national forest, including the towering ChiricahuaMountains. Participate in an authentic cattle drive or just relax at the pool. The ranch environment is enhanced by a diversity of wildlife, flowers and trees, and a replenishing spring for fishing. Open year round. 1.800.727.0065. www.pricecanyon.com.

Circle Z Ranch - Located in Patagonia, Arizona, 65 miles south of Tucson and 15 miles north of the Mexico border, the Circle Z opened in 1926. It is

considered the oldest continuously operating dude ranch in Arizona. With

cattle operation) on the banks of Sonoita Creek is situated on 6,000 acres

in the SantaRitaMountain foothills, bordered by the Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Sanctuary, PatagoniaState Park, and CoronadoNational Forest.Family members can take advantage of world renowned bird watching opportunities, horse back riding and hiking. Open November until mid-May. 1.888.854.2525.www.circlez.com.

Triangle T Guest Ranch - Sixty miles from Tucson, the Triangle T is located adjacent to the renowned Amerind Foundation, an archaeological museum and research facility dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American Indian cultures.Families can also take advantage of horseback riding, cowboy entertainment, campfire barbecues, and hayrides, as well as hiking and bird-watching.Open year round. 1.866.586.7533. www.triangletguestranch.com